Spoiling Mom for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is upon us and what better way to show Mom how much you care than breakfast in bed. After all that Mom does for you, she deserves a little spoiling.

The breakfast tray I've prepared uses a tea set that is usually simply a decoration in my bedroom, but today it's being placed into service. It's not really the set of dishes that matters; it's the loving thoughts behind it.

The flowers are simply azaleas cut from a bush growing in our yard.

The tray holds two particularly sentimental items. One item is the little card drawn by my youngest daughter for me. There is something about a child's artwork to help remind you of the true meaning of motherhood.

The second item is the small figurine bearing a sash saying Mother Dear. When I was a young girl my Mom cooked regularly. Occasionally when my Dad would have a business dinner out my Mom would take my brothers and me to a local Chinese restaurant for dinner.

Next door to the restaurant was a tiny shop run by this very old woman. It was filled with little pieces of cheap, overpriced ceramics.

My brothers and I would love to gaze upon the many treasures, shelf by shelf. Mom would never make a purchase, always making excuses so as not to insult the old woman, but to teach us that the items were overpriced.

One day my brothers and I brought "our money," and purchased this little figurine for my Mom.

Mom always kept it on her perfume table and I now keep it on mine.

The true gifts to a Mom are not costly items, but ones filled with love and thoughtfulness. Making Mom breakfast in bed is a simple way to show her how much you care.

Editor's note: To see more of Alma's beautiful tablescapes and more photos from this setting, visit her at www.thetablescaper.com.